Judiciary News

Total bankruptcy filings rose 11 percent, with increases in both business and non-business bankruptcies, in the twelve-month period ending Dec. 31, 2025.

In the event of a lapse in appropriations at midnight on Jan. 30, the Judiciary will remain open and continue paid operations through Wednesday, Feb. 4, by using court fee balances and other funds not dependent on a new appropriation.

Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., has issued his 2025 Year-End Report on the Federal Judiciary.

The new Federal Circuit Center for Innovation and Law offers students an immersive learning experience that connects science, technology, civics, and law in the nation’s capital.

The Department of Justice has advised the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts that it has funds available to transfer to the Judiciary to make additional payments to eligible Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustees for fiscal year 2024.

Judge John D. Bates, of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, is the 2025 recipient of the Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award.

Personal and business bankruptcy filings increased 10.6 percent in the twelve-month period ending Sept. 30, 2025, compared with the previous year.

The judicial branch announced that beginning on Monday, Oct. 20, it will no longer have funding to sustain full, paid operations.

Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., has named five new chairs of Judicial Conference committees and extended the term of five current chairs by one year.

Despite a federal government shutdown that began on Oct. 1, the Judiciary remains open and will continue paid operations through Friday, Oct. 17, by using court fee balances and other funds not dependent on a new appropriation.

The Judiciary’s funding shortfalls could get worse in the coming year, and the effects would be especially severe if federal courts must operate under another full-year continuing resolution, the Judiciary’s policy-making body was told.

Federal judges are introducing young people to the Judiciary and sparking their interest in a range of careers in the courts – beyond the roles of judges and lawyers – through a national initiative called Open Doors to Careers in the Courts. A new video shows the approach, which starts with students visiting courthouses to interact with court professionals and experience the job functions that keep the wheels of justice turning.

Four new U.S. Supreme Court Fellows are set to begin their 2025-2026 fellowships in September.

When U.S. District Judge Richard W. Story observed a nationwide trend showing that a troubling percentage of citizens are unaware of their rights and the role of the Judiciary, he decided to take action to address this civics deficit.

The federal Judiciary is taking additional steps to strengthen protections for sensitive case documents in response to recent escalated cyberattacks of a sophisticated and persistent nature on its case management system. The Judiciary is also further enhancing security of the system and to block future attacks, and it is prioritizing working with courts to mitigate the impact on litigants.